Delta monitor 17 series tub spout won't screw in adapter

Hi. Been scratching my head for a while trying to figure this out: I soldered the adapter that came with the spout onto the 1/2 copper pipe. The end with the o-ring in front, and the threaded end 1 1/4" away from the shower wall. EXACTLY like specified in the instructions.... (actual allowance is 1/2" to 1 1/4" max) Now just screw in the spout by hand until flush with shower wall. Problem is that it won't screw. I get a quarter turn on it and it stops there. Trying to go further either damages the plastic treads inside the spout or breaks the assembly all together! I know: I tried. Even called Delta and the tech told me it shouldn't be a problem, and shipped me 2 new spouts. But unfortunately, I still got the same problem with these too! Somebody had the same problem? Please help!!!!!!

Hi. Been scratching my head for a while trying to figure this out: I soldered the adapter that came with the spout onto the 1/2 copper pipe. The end with the o-ring in front, and the threaded end 1 1/4" away from the shower wall. EXACTLY like specified in the instructions.... (actual allowance is 1/2" to 1 1/4" max) Now just screw in the spout by hand until flush with shower wall. Problem is that it won't screw. I get a quarter turn on it and it stops there. Trying to go further either damages the plastic treads inside the spout or breaks the assembly all together! I know: I tried. Even called Delta and the tech told me it shouldn't be a problem, and shipped me 2 new spouts. But unfortunately, I still got the same problem with these too! Somebody had the same problem? Please help!!!!!!

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sounds like maybe your solder ran to an area where it interferes with the O-ring area and/or the threads. is the copper tube cut off flush at the outside end of the adapter? I'm no pro plumber, but I've installed several of these Delta tub spout setups. Got to be careful with it, but its not like heart surgery either. careful. look closely at the solder to see if some went where it should not be

Hi. Been scratching my head for a while trying to figure this out: I soldered the adapter that came with the spout onto the 1/2 copper pipe. The end with the o-ring in front, and the threaded end 1 1/4" away from the shower wall. EXACTLY like specified in the instructions.... (actual allowance is 1/2" to 1 1/4" max) Now just screw in the spout by hand until flush with shower wall. Problem is that it won't screw. I get a quarter turn on it and it stops there. Trying to go further either damages the plastic treads inside the spout or breaks the assembly all together! I know: I tried. Even called Delta and the tech told me it shouldn't be a problem, and shipped me 2 new spouts. But unfortunately, I still got the same problem with these too! Somebody had the same problem? Please help!!!!!!

hey guys thanks for replying! I did check the solder and it seems very clean (see pics) the copper pipe do stick out of the adapter though, about 3/4". Is that a problem? We left it there because there is lots of space in the spout itself for it, and the diameter of the spout is bigger than 1/2"....
Like I said, even the new adapter don't work. The only way I can get the adapter to screw in all the way in the spout is if I screw it with the threads first, with the o-ring part sticking out.... works awesome this way but obviously won't work....

I usually install it closer to the wall, if for no other reason than it does not take so long to screw it on all the way, and I cut the copper off after soldering it on. On the surface, I cannot see any reason why it should not work, especially since it does screw on backwards. Move it back and cut off the tubing and it should work.

hey guys thanks for replying! I did check the solder and it seems very clean (see pics) the copper pipe do stick out of the adapter though, about 3/4". Is that a problem? We left it there because there is lots of space in the spout itself for it, and the diameter of the spout is bigger than 1/2"....
Like I said, even the new adapter don't work. The only way I can get the adapter to screw in all the way in the spout is if I screw it with the threads first, with the o-ring part sticking out.... works awesome this way but obviously won't work....
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When I did mine, I carefully cut off the extra copper flush to the adapter as per the istructions (as I remember). Are you sure the copper tubing end is not hitting the spout anywhere inside it? I would trim off the excess copper just for giggles and see if it makes a difference.

Are you saying that a loose (not installed adapter) won't go in a spout either? You'll need to remove the O ring I guess so its friction will not interfere with your test. I am pretty sure you you should be able to screw it in by hand if there is no O ring on the adapter.

Well my plumber friend did the soldering and we were concerned about doing it to close to the shower wall----and burn it. That is why we went as far as possible (1 1/4"). But hey, I tried to screw it on without the o-ring, and it went, even with the excess copper still on! So is it as simple as this? Smear the o-ring with dish soap and try it again? Thought we tried that when we started to install it but it didn't make a difference... I'll try again. Any specific product I should use for lube?

HMMM... Good point hj. Wondering why my plumber friend didn't catch on that! But it all makes sense now. Should work out! So is dish soap good enough or something else would be better to lube?

Thanks a lot finally I can finish the job!!!

There are a lot of young plumbers out there. hj and many of the others have been doing this so long that we sometimes forget that this stuff was leaned over time, and not always so obvious. I do as hj too. I solder the end away from the wall. Your plumber would have figured this out eventually, but if you mention this tip, it will speed up his education.
Terry

Hi,
I have been lurking awhile but I have a question now that I can't find the answer to. I Have a delta shower kit which includes a tub spout with this screw on adapter. I was really hoping this was a lock nut tub filler as they are so much easier to install. What I am trying to puzzle out is; How do you determine how far out to solder the adapter? If it is in the wrong position I could end up screwing on the spout and have it tighten against the tile pointing up or sideways. I am not quite sure what the best way to make sure that it seats against the tile ending in the right position would be. Can anyone offer advice?

Hi,
I have been lurking awhile but I have a question now that I can't find the answer to. I Have a delta shower kit which includes a tub spout with this screw on adapter. I was really hoping this was a lock nut tub filler as they are so much easier to install. What I am trying to puzzle out is; How do you determine how far out to solder the adapter? If it is in the wrong position I could end up screwing on the spout and have it tighten against the tile pointing up or sideways. I am not quite sure what the best way to make sure that it seats against the tile ending in the right position would be. Can anyone offer advice?

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I was under the impreesion that all of the above posts in this thread answered that. I just followed the instructions on the sheet that came with the spout/valve assembly. The seal is not dependant on the spout bottoming out on the threads, but is just a matter of the o ring having entered into the smoothe sealing part of the spout. Once the o ring is in that area, you can tighten the spout until it contacts the wall. I see your point, though, but there is normally enough give in the wall pipe to allow the spout to be turned so it faces down

Hi,
I was really hoping this was a lock nut tub filler as they are so much easier to install. What I am trying to puzzle out is; How do you determine how far out to solder the adapter? ?

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The instructions give a range for the distance from the wall....this range is what makes it so user friendly. \
For bobl you don't use plumbers grease on o-rings. Bad for the rubber. Silicone grease is called for, and for a one-time deal like a tub spout, soap won't hurt.

Plumbers grease is meant for metal parts, like stem threads,cloth-impregnated packing, bonnet threads, etc. It has been widely used as a general purpose lubricant, but in the "o-ring world" it is not appropriate.

Jimbo, I got out my tube of Plumber's grease I obught at Ace hdwe a while back at at least "it" says it is OK for O-rings. I guess there is other plumber's grease and not all O-rings are safe? anyway some pics attached here.

Sounds like you're just getting the resistance of the o-ring and are scared to turn it further to get it on. You have other spouts if this one is damaged. Screw it on.

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HEHEHEHEHE..... thats exactly what i was thinking! Ive installed thousands of those spouts, yes really thousands. I love them.. sometimes the first thread or 2 is actually tightening up the plastic assembly inside the spout and it seems like maybe its gonna break. But keep going. use 2 hands and turn it. It isnt a loose sloppy fit, its fairly snug so it takes a little effort to turn it. I usually turn the valve on before I set the spout up against the back wall so that i can see if the solder job and o ring are actually sealing. if they dont seal, water will spray backwards thru the hole in the tub wall and soak the area behind the wall.

It shouldnt take a wrench, but it will take a little effort to get it threaded on. and it usually gets a little easier after a few threads